New Poems of Oriel

About the Book

New Poems of Oriel is a book that echoes the legendary tradition preserved in the writings of the ancient kingdom of Oriel, which broadly speaking comprised what is now north Louth, parts of Monaghan, Down, Armagh and Meath. An attempt is made in this collection to bring together the legacy of that great literary tradition with some contemporary voices. Due to the fall of the great Irish and Anglo-Irish houses in the early eighteenth century, it was no longer possible to continue the patronage which made possible the classical school of poetry and a new type of writing began to emerge. Irish poetry completely changed its form "...for the first time, poetry became the handmaid of the many, not the mistress of the few; and through every nook and corner of the island the populace, neglecting all bardic training, burst forth into the most passionate song" - County Louth Archaeological Journal Vol I, (1) 1904 p 55.

In New Poems of Oriel the reader will find poems of literary merit, of vision and intuitive understanding of the universe, and the complex nature of humanity. But the book is equally full of poetry with a widespread, perhaps universal appeal. All the great literary themes are here - love, hate, despair, joy and sorrow. Tragic events from the domestic to the truly global are commemorated. Poems depict a love of nature and homeland, adventure, the spiritual, childhood, nostalgia for times past, the comic, the historic and even the pre-historic in Ireland. The collection contains the authentic voice of the people, a voice I believe needs to be heard in poetry in today's world. While most of the general reading public admit that they find poetry difficult, uninteresting and not worth the effort, it is my hope that everyone who picks up New Poems of Oriel will find something to captivate them.

Cover design "Muse" by Bernadette Martin

Profits from the sale of this book will be donated to "The Birches" Alzheimers Centre, Dundalk. Co. Louth.

About the Author

Mary Kearns made this collection of poetry over a period of one year. Those who wrote the poems all live in or have connections with what was known in former times as the Kingdom of Oriel, now comprising north Louth and parts of counties Meath, Monaghan, Down and Armagh.

Mary has a history of involvement with writing and teaching literature and cultural studies. She has degrees in English, History, Diploma in Publishing and also worked in drama and screen-writing. Her main interest lies in the field of Irish poetry which led to her obtaining a Masters degree at The Queen's University, Belfast, in 1998.

A native of County Louth, Mary now lives in Cavan and is working on a book for a Bolivian children's charity. Mary plans a second book of poetry in 2006.